Medium format cameras have achieved a truly breathtaking resolution that is the result of a difficult compromise with other features. The Pentax 645Z was able to offer features unique to medium format cameras. Waterproof housing, on-screen view, video capture, not to mention the extremely wide sensitivity range, 27-point phase-detection AF system and high performance. And, of course, it has incredible detail and a very large, bright viewfinder. Maybe it's time to say goodbye to full frame?
Pentax 645Z vs Pentax 645D comparison
In early 2010, Pentax launched the 645D, a medium format digital SLR camera that had been developed over the previous five years. It may have been too long, but the time was well spent nonetheless. The 645D outperforms Nikon, Canon and Sony competitors with 2/3 more full frame sensor area, unique appearance and shallower depth of field. At the same time, the camera has become muchmore affordable than other medium format counterparts such as Phase One and Hasselblad, while remaining strong enough to be used in the field.
The reason that Pentax, for the first time since its purchase by Ricoh, has been able to offer a camera at a better price than others is quite simple. Much of the 645D's design can be used in mass-produced APS-C DSLRs, while Phase One and Hasselblad don't sell consumer DSLRs - design costs fall solely on their medium format products.
While Pentax has always lacked (and still lacks) a full-frame DSLR, the 645D became coveted by enthusiasts and original enough to attract pros for whom resolution and format were more important than capture at high speed. And by 2010 standards, the resolution was really high. The 645D impressed with unprecedented detail, indistinguishable to the eye.
Like the medium format film cameras it followed in its footsteps, the 645D was not intended for the mass market. Its market niche has shrunk even further since film, but it was nonetheless important to the company, as was its successor, the Pentax 645Z.
The camera shares many similarities with Ricoh's flagship APS-C DSLRs, and thanks to the 4 years of development since the launch of the 645D, there has been no shortage of new features.
Sensor and Processor
The most important feature wasan all-new 51-megapixel CMOS sensor paired with the PRIME III image processor first seen in the K-3. The 645Z also inherits its SAFOX 11 27-point autofocus and 86,000-pixel color metering system.
The new Pentax 645Z image sensor has an extremely wide (by the standards of medium format cameras) sensitivity range, reaching ISO 204, 800. On-screen zoom and Full HD video shooting were also absent from their predecessors. Performance has taken a big step forward, at least compared to other medium format cameras. It's not a sports camera yet, but its speed is almost 3 times that of the 645D. And post-processing time has been reduced by more than half.
Lens correction
As with its predecessor, the Pentax 645Z Lenses correction function allows you to correct distortion and lateral chromatic aberration. In addition, there is the possibility of correction of peripheral illumination and diffraction. The function works with DA645, D FA645 and FA645 lenses, but not with A645 or adapted 67 lenses.
New Features
The camera boasts a larger, tiltable, higher resolution LCD panel, all the more useful given the new on-screen live view feature. The shutter life has been doubled to 100,000 shots. Therefore, the photos taken by the Pentax 645Z are cheaper than those of its predecessor.
The manufacturer has equipped its camera, like the K-3, with a high-speed USB 3.0 port and a UHS-I compatible card slotSecure Digital memory and a slot for a Pentax Flucard card that allows remote wireless control, including screen sighting. It is possible to shoot 4K video, however, without sound. But Full HD video is accompanied by stereo sound recorded by the onboard microphone or external, with automatic or manual adjustment.
Outwardly, the camera is quite squat, its depth is especially great. It is very likely that the camera will attract attention when shooting, so it is not suitable for those who want to go unnoticed. But shooting landscapes, nature, objects will allow you to create absolutely amazing shots. While the camera is larger than typical professional DSLRs, its weight is in line with devices with a smaller sensor such as the Canon EOS 1D X. It is relatively compact and light by medium format standards.
Front view
From the front, the Pentax 645Z is very similar to its predecessor. The most notable difference is the brand new silver badge on the viewfinder prism, which was black. But if you look under the outer shell, the case will be completely different. The depth has increased by 4 mm, and the weight has increased by 71 g. The camera is not small, but not too large, as one might think looking at the photo.
The height and width of the Pentax 645Z is not much different from typical Canon EOS 5D Mark III or Nikon D800 full-frame cameras. The device is slightly narrower and shorter than professional Canon EOS 1D X or Nikon D4S cameras, largely due to the lack ofportrait handle.
645Z loses in comparison in terms of depth and weight. The medium format sensor, much needed in other areas, requires a much larger module to accommodate the mirror. This additional depth is 25-35 mm. It weighs about a quarter more than the D4S at 1.55kg when assembled.
But that's a small price to pay for a 2/3 larger sensor than a 35mm full frame sensor. On the plus side, there is plenty of room for external controls specially designed for use with gloves. The frost-resistant housing design also does not interfere with shooting in extreme conditions. Plus, with 76 seals, the design is weather and dust resistant.
There are no questions about the professional execution of the case. It's made from die-cast aluminum with a magnesium alloy outer shell, with no hint of polycarbonate.
Top view
When viewed from above, there are several differences between the Pentax 645Z and 645D. There are 3 new user modes on the control dial, making it easier to access pre-created setting groups. The line of buttons on the left side has also been redone. SD replaced AF and lock, and the order was changed to move bracketing forward. There's also a new stereo microphone with two apertures on the sides of the viewfinder, and a loudspeaker further down the right side of the body.
Back
Changes on the back of the 645Zassociated with a new LCD monitor. The display is larger by 3.2 inches diagonally and has a tilt mechanism for viewing overhead, at waist level, or low to the ground.
The row of buttons that used to be under the display has disappeared, and their 4 functions have been transferred to the navigation buttons. They are also used to adjust the position of the AF point, as in the Pentax K-3.
The column of buttons to the right of the LCD has become a square cluster on the right rear of the camera. One of them, the Delete button, has gained a video recording function. And since AF point selection is now in a different location, the dial to the right of the viewfinder that was previously used for this now serves as the Still/Movie control dial.
Sidebars
The left side of the 645Z has lost its composite video output, replaced by a new 3.5mm stereo microphone jack. The remaining ports are located under one rubber plug. The USB connector is now USB 3.0 SuperSpeed, and the layout of the ports has also changed. There are also 2 Secure Digital Card slots, one of which is UHS-I compatible.
The DK wire terminal, previously located under a cover on the rear panel, is now located in the handle. It's a logical move given the lack of space elsewhere. If you shoot using the remote control, you do not need to hold the camera.
Image quality
The Pentax 645Z produces great photos with absolutely breathtaking detail, especially whenbase sensitivity. The latter's wider range is very handy, allowing 11 x 14" prints up to ISO 6400 and 4 x 6" prints up to ISO 51,200. As is common with Pentax cameras, color reproduction at default settings is sometimes inaccurate, but very unlikely to make the professional camera user leave the factory settings.
Pentax 645Z: reviews of photographers
Users praise the camera's enormous resolution and detail, high light sensitivity, rugged water-resistant housing, and large, bright viewfinder. Photographers praise good and fast autofocus performance in low light conditions, device performance, long battery life and the ability to shoot Full HD video.
Complaints include a bulky design compared to APS-C or full-frame DSLRs, a tendency to image defects, a concentration of AF points near the center of the frame, and a lack of suitable waterproof and digitally optimized lenses. And the unusual look attracts the attention of passers-by.
The camera without a lens is available from June 2014 at a price of 625-646 thousand rubles.
The size and price of the Pentax 645Z suggests this is not a camera for everyone - many will be satisfied with a smaller APS-C sensor or a full-frame camera - but its insatiable thirst for detail has allowed it to stand out. Those who regularly print very large photos and need maximum detail should stop at the 645Z -a medium format camera that impresses with its quality and affordability.
